The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1887-04-02

knew it was with JOY, yet she kept re-
peating to herself: "Oh, how could he
be so recklessi How l wish he had not
come tonight"
The garden sloped down to the beach,
and it was but a moments walk to the
waters edge. But short as was the
time required boat had grated upon
the beach before Ailsa could arrive
there, and even as she paused, irreso-
Lutte upon the verge of the last descent,
a dark form sprung swiftly up to where
she stood, and a rapturous voice ex-
claimed, in tones suppressed but full of
tenderness:
"Ailsa, Ailsa, my own dear lassie! we
have met once more.
Ailsa gave him both OF her hands,
but a greeting such as this would not
do for this impetuous lover. His arm
went round her waist, aad he drew her
dear little golden head close against
his breast, tenderly stroking the soft
silken hair and kissing again and again
the warm cheek that was turned to-
ward him so shyly.
"AiIsa, my darling little Ailsa," he
murmured gently, II have so longed
to see you. But have you no word of
welcome for me, dear?"
Indeed, l am glad to see you, Al
lan," she answered, smiling up into
his face in the starlight. "But it was
reckless in you to come after my sig
nal. thought you would not dare to
venture"
The young man laughed softly.
"Dare!' he said "Now | do wonder
what that unciviized Cd Highlander
of an uncle of yours would attempt to
do if | fell into his clutchesP He
couldn't do worse than dismemDer me,
could he? And the man who wouldn't
risk being quartered for the sake of
your bright eyes, dearest, is no true
lover"
but, Allan" persisted the girl,
"you really are in peril tonight, and
meant more than caution when | show
ed the signal this afternoon. Uncle
has notified the coast guards, and
they are all on the watch for you to-
night"
us it possible? To what Importance
seem to have risen! Faith, and who
knows but that poor Allan Gordon may
be the subject of an international com
plication yet. Won't that be an honor
But don't start away, nor tremble so
my own little Ailsa. There's nothing
to fear just now, surely"
Dear Allan, I'm so sorry, but vol
really must 60. can't be easy while
you are here Only think, we are be
fore uncle's very door,"
IF you had the least bit of common
politeness, Ailsa, you'd invite me int,
the par or. And I'd go, too, and sta.
till l heard old Duncan dhu Macfarlan
Mohr coming up the steps, There
there, darling, don't pout, and l won
joke any more, But I'll tell you wha
we will do. Come into the boat wit
me, and we'll move out rod or two
There's just the least ripple of swell
and we can talk as long as we please
w tn no one to disturb us. Come
darling"
"What, before your sailorsP Allan
how can you ask me?"
mot a sailor there. Ailsa-only VII
my brother. You've met the boy a
ready, and he loves you only less tina
l do myself. Come, lassie."
Ailsa suffered herself to be persuaded
and moment later Allan lifted her il
to the boat A dark figure rose Il
from the thwarts and warmly claspe
her hand and then the two brother
silently rowcd the boat half doze
lengths from shore. Then Allan hanC
el his oar to his brother, saying:
keep her steady VIII, with her hea
to the swell for just five minutes. "
little matter of very important bu
mess that l want to talk over Wi
, Ailsa."
, But as he rose to change his Sc
: VIII pushed him back and thrust h
| oar again into his hands, whisperir
, eXcitedly:
, Look, look! The boats! Can tn,
t be after us?"
2 An instants glance showed All,
two rowboats, dimly visible in t
= darkness, and swiftly approachil
Q them along the shore. The foremC
A had already reached such positi
= that it would be impossible to gain I
= beach without coming in collision wi
t it. Moreover, it was evident that t
f crews of both had discovered the Go
9 dons' boat, and that they intended
It cut off its escape. What was to be don
g Ailsa wrung her hands. "Oh, wi
/ have l done?n she whispered in q
v guish. Allan, Allan! l will be d sgrac
It foreverp
a THAT you shall not, Ailsa, my d
;, ling" answered Allan. but ca
q voursplf dearest and trust tn n